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What kind of father do we need to be to raise girls into strong, empathetic, and emotionally resilient women? Today’s show is all about how to raise confident, mentally tough daughters.

Emily McCarthy is a former case officer for the CIA and the cofounder of GORUCK, a brand with Special Forces roots that leads backpacking events all over the world.

Emily lost her father when she was just getting out of college. It was a devastating blow, but the foundation he laid will echo for generations.

Emily talks about how her dad gamified safety and defense so she would always be ready to protect herself and others. She also talks about the many ways her father showed up in her life that made her into the incredible woman she is today.

Emily’s story is proof of the ripple effect a father leaves on his children’s lives, even if his time is cut short. Don’t miss this moving episode.

My father was a big part of my life because he showed up.

How to Raise Confident, Mentally Tough Daughters

What it was like for Emily to witness her father dying

The void left by the pillar of the family

In the wake of his death, she traveled the world as a language teacher.

How Emily’s father taught her and her brother important lessons veiled in fun activities

How her dad showed them to protect themselves through the gamification of safety and defense

How Emily’s father expected her to protect her brother and anyone who needed help

The many large and small ways her dad showed up for her

Emily’s father technique to train her “not to be a wuss”

How Emily’s father’s lessons helped her through bullying

How to instill healthy fear in your children

If you shelter a child too much, they will not have the healthy fear to protect themselves.

The unusual relationship between her and her husband/GORUCK cofounder, Jason

How once, in 5 years of their marriage, they never lived together

Her experience as a case officer for the CIA post-911

The happy accident of the GORUCK idea

How GORUCK events make people excited about life and bring about a sense of community

The benefits of GORUCK Events for parents and kids

How kids in a group setting self-correct­­–”the village teaches”

Rucking is just like life–you don’t know what to expect.

How Emily sees her father in her children, even though they never met him.